Draymond Green has identified Amen Thompson as the linchpin for the Houston Rockets as they gear up for the playoffs. After a standout performance against the Golden State Warriors, where Thompson's defensive prowess stifled Stephen Curry, Green expressed his admiration for Thompson's growing confidence and athleticism. Thompson’s contributions have played a crucial role in the Rockets' recent successes, including two wins against the Warriors in their last three meetings.

Green, who acknowledged the individual talents of his teammates, remains optimistic about a potential playoff rematch against Houston, citing the Warriors' experience as a significant advantage. With the Rockets positioning themselves for a high playoff seed, Thompson's performance will be pivotal in their quest for postseason success.

In a recent post-game interview, Jimmy Butler expressed his frustration over the lack of protection that Stephen Curry receives from officials during games. Following the Golden State Warriors' loss to the Houston Rockets, Butler emphasized that Curry is frequently fouled without receiving the free-throw calls he deserves, asserting that it has been a constant issue throughout Curry's long career.

Butler's remarks highlighted that Curry has drawn fouls on only 8.2% of his shot attempts this season, ranking him in the 46th percentile in the league. Given Curry's reputation and the defensive focus opposing teams place on him, this statistic seems surprisingly low. Despite these challenges, both Butler and observers remain confident in Curry's ability to adapt and continue being a top scorer in the NBA.

Under the guidance of head coach Ime Udoka, the Houston Rockets have transformed into a formidable force characterized by athleticism and strong defensive play. Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors praised their clear identity, mentioning their impressive recent performance with a 15-2 record over the last 17 games. This resurgence includes a significant victory against the Warriors in which they held Steph Curry to just three points, marking his lowest career total in a game with over 30 minutes played.

The Rockets are now poised to secure the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, a stark contrast to their previous struggles against the Warriors, against whom they had lost 15 straight games prior. With key players like Amen Thompson and impactful additions such as Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, the Rockets have built a competitive roster that could shape the future of their rivalry with the Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors faced a challenging game against the Houston Rockets, losing in a fiercely contested matchup that highlighted a physical style of play advocated by Rockets coach Ime Udoka. His approach is rooted in ramping up physicality to force opponents, like the Warriors, to adapt. In this game, the Warriors struggled to cope with the intensity, leading to visible frustration among players, including Stephen Curry's heated exchange with Udoka.

Post-game analysis pointed to Udoka's strategy of making the referees adjust to his team's aggressive style as key to their success. The Warriors, while disappointed, can use this experience to prepare for future matchups, particularly as they look ahead to an upcoming game against the Phoenix Suns. Understanding how to counteract aggressive styles will be critical for Golden State as they aim for postseason success.